General Information
What is Common Goods?
Our platform is a marketplace dedicated to connecting Canadian small businesses with domestic customers. In light of the tariffs on Canadian goods entering the US market, we provide an immediate solution for businesses looking to pivot to the domestic market and connect to their best customers.
Common Goods will deploy in 2 phases, integrating community feedback at every step:
Phase 1 (May 2025 - September 2025):customers will complete purchases on your existing website with Common Goods acting as a product directory. Large retailers are encouraged to connect their product feeds via affiliate API.
In Phase 2 (October 2025): we'll introduce an integrated checkout option (drop-ship model). Merchants can choose to opt-in to our integrated checkout for a small commission or stay on the directory model.
Why should I join this platform?
Urgent Market Shift: With 80% of Canadian small businesses currently dependent on US customers, the tariffs and trade policy chaos create an immediate need to develop domestic sales channels.
Cost-Effective Customer Acquisition: Reduce the 30%+ of revenue typically spent on digital advertising by accessing our audience of 1M+ people looking to Buy Canadian.
No Upfront Costs: Free listings.
Revenue from Day One: Leverage our established affiliate programs.
Hyper local and values-based filtering: Connect with high-intent local customers specifically interested in your products, whether sustainable, vegan, minority-owned, and/or made in Canada.
Hyper local and values-based filtering: Connect with high-intent local customers specifically interested in your products, whether sustainable, vegan, minority-owned, and/or made in Canada.
Getting Started
How do businesses apply to sell on Common Goods?
Here's how to join Common Goods:
1. Decide which type of partnership is right for your business: Direct Checkout or Affiliate (see next section for details)
2. Complete our online merchant application form
3. Once approved, complete our Brand information details to verify your Canadian business information
4. Upload your product catalog or connect via API
What type of businesses can apply?
We welcome Canadian-owned businesses that sell physical products.
Accepted categories: apparel, accessories, jewellery, kids, baby, toys, home decor, housewares, gifts, games, crafting supplies, stationery, books, pet supplies, personal care, outdoor, and electronics.
At this time, we do not support: services, software, industrial products, courses, food, or publishers without an e-commerce store.
Businesses must have their own online stores up and running (e.g. on Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Amazon FBA, or Etsy).
Brands lacking clear shipping, returns, warranty policies, and/or high quality product imagery on their site will unfortunately be declined.
Should I choose an Affiliate Partnership or Marketplace Direct Checkout?
Marketplace Partnership vs Affiliate Partnership Overview
Two Ways to Work with Common Goods:
📍 Marketplace with Direct Checkout (20% commission)
- Products listed on Common Goods
- We drive traffic & handle checkout
- Typical conversion rate: 5-12%
- We reimburse 100% of shipping
- We handle customer service, unless escalation is needed
- You keep 80%
- Best for: Customer acquisition & discovery
🔗 Affiliate Partner (3-15% commission*)
- Products listed on Common Goods
- We send traffic to YOUR site
- Typical conversion rate: 1-3%
- You handle checkout, shipping, customer service
- Commission based on your affiliate program
- You keep 63-79% (after your costs)
- Best for: Keeping customer relationship
Revenue Comparison
Scenario: Common Goods sends you 1,000 clicks/month
🔗 Affiliate (3-20%) |
📍 Marketplace |
|
| Conversion rate (average) | 2% | 3.5% |
| Number of orders | 20 | 35 |
| Revenue (e.g. $100/order) | $2000 | $3,500 |
| Commission rate | 10%* | 20% |
| Commission cost | -$200 | -$700 |
| Payment processing | 2.4% | We cover |
| Payment processing cost | -$48 | $0 |
| Shipping cost (e.g. $15 ea) | -$300 | We reimburse |
| Net income | $1,452 | $2,800 |
| Margin | 72.6% | 80% |
| TLDR | Lower conversion, you own customer | 🤑 93% more revenue, higher margin |
*For Etsy sellers who choose an Affiliate Partnership, Etsy pays the commission, not the seller. Common Goods charges $0 fees.
Is there a fee to join?
No, listings are free.
Merchants who choose to participate in our unified checkout will be subject to a standard commission on all sales that take place on Common Goods. Checkout participation is optional.
Operations and Technical
How do I list my products?
You can list products through:
- Shopify Collective (Shopify stores in CAD)
- Direct API integration (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Amazon FBA)
- Affiliate product feed (any platform, not compatible with checkout)
Do you provide product photography or content creation?
While we don't currently offer photography services, our platform provides optimization tools to help your existing content perform better. We also offer guidelines for creating effective product listings.
Will you be handling the checkout process?
Not initially.
During Phase 1 (May 2025 - September 2025), customers will complete purchases on your existing website with Common Goods acting as a product directory.
In Phase 2 (October, 2025), we will introduce an integrated checkout option (drop-ship model). Merchants can choose to opt-in to our integrated checkout for a small commission or stay on the directory model.
Common Goods Direct Checkout
Getting Started
What is Common Goods Direct Checkout?
A unified shopping experience where customers can purchase from multiple Canadian brands in one transaction. You manage fulfillment from your own inventory while we handle customer service, payment processing, and reimburse shipping costs.
Who can participate?
Shopify merchants first (via Shopify Collective), with other platforms rolling out in stages. Apply here if you're interested in early access.
What's the commission structure?
20% minimum commission on sales that take place on our platform. This covers payment processing, customer service, marketing exposure, and full shipping cost reimbursement.
How It Works
Order fulfillment process
- Customer orders through Common Goods
- You receive order notification via Shopify Collective
- You fulfill and ship within your stated timeframe
- We reimburse shipping costs
- Commission is calculated automatically by Shopify Payments
Shipping reimbursement
We reimburse all shipping charges. Common Goods offers flat-rate economy/standard shipping for all orders and reimburses each merchant for their shipping labels. If you offer expedited shipping, this will automatically come up at checkout for the customer. Express shipping is also fully reimbursed.
What policies do I need to provide?
- Fulfillment timeframe (e.g., "ships within 2 business days")
- Return policy
- Refund policy
- Warranty/guarantee terms
Keep these current in your merchant profile. Customers see them before purchase.
Customer Service
Who handles what?
Common Goods manages first-line customer service:
- Order status inquiries
- Tracking assistance
- Return approvals
- Parcel tracing
You handle escalations only—cases where fulfillment issues, product questions, or specialized support is needed.
Escalation response time
Maintain an up-to-date customer service email in your merchant profile. Respond to escalations within 4 hours during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) your local timezone.
Keep these current in your merchant profile. Customers see them before purchase.
Customer data
Customer email addresses are currently managed by Common Goods to maintain unified customer service. Data sharing is on our roadmap - we're working on privacy-compliant ways to share customer information that works for everyone.
Best Practices
Product listings
Accurate inventory counts is essential to prevent overselling. Your Shopify inventory will be automatically synced through Shopify Collective.
Products and variants listed as "do not track inventory" will NOT be available for sale on Common Goods. Be sure to verify every listing to ensure they are accurately tracked.
Fulfillment timing
Meet your stated shipping windows. Delays impact customer trust across the entire platform—we're building this together.
Keep these current in your merchant profile. Customers see them before purchase.
Returns & refunds
Follow your stated policies. We approve returns based on your policy; you process refunds once items are received. Keep us informed of any complications.
Technical Details
Payment processing
Handled through Common Goods. You receive payment minus commission after customer delivery confirmation.
Who pays taxes? How?
Sales tax is collected by Common Goods and remitted to each Merchant for goods sold. Tax calculations are handled by the commission mechanism for your store - either Shopify Collective or our direct API.
Inventory management
Connect your Shopify store via Collective (see Shopify's guide) or manage inventory manually through your merchant dashboard.
Product updates
Price changes, product descriptions, and photos sync automatically through Shopify Collective. Manual updates possible for other platforms.
Questions?
How does Common Goods compare to other marketplaces?
What You Actually Keep on a $100 Product Sale
| Common Goods |
Affiliate* (3-20%) |
Amazon FBA | Etsy (>$10k) | |
| Product price | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Commission | -$20.00 | -$3-20.00 | -$10.00 | -$6.50 |
| Fulfillment | $0.00 | $0.00 | -$8.00 | $0.00 |
| Storage | **$0.00 | **$0.00 | -$3.00 | **$0.00 |
| Payment processing | ***$0.00 | -$3.50 | -$3.50 | -$3.50 |
| Offsite ads (blended) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | -$4.00 |
| Shipping your order out | -$15.00 | -$15.00 | -$15.00 | -$15.00 |
| Shipping reimbursement | +$15.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| You take home | $80.00 | $58-79.00 | $60.80 | $71.30 |
| (80%) | (58-79%) | (71%) | (71%) |
*Affiliate: Sale on YOUR site via our referral, you handle everything. Commission negotiable.
** You cover your own storage/overhead (normal cost of doing business)
*** We cover payment processing on Common Goods marketplace orders only
Why Common Goods beats the competition
✓ Flexibility: Choose marketplace OR affiliate directory
✓ No forced storage fees like Amazon ($3-15/month)
✓ No ads required to rank in relevant searches
✓ No surprise ad taxes like Etsy (4-12% extra)
✓ Shipping reimbursed on marketplace sales
✓ $9-20 MORE per $100 sale than alternatives
Can i opt-out of direct checkout?
Yes. You can remain or newly join as a Directory Partner (affiliate model) where customers click through to your site to purchase. Existing merchants who take no action will remain on this model.
What if I'm not on Shopify?
We're expanding checkout to other platforms in stages. Non-Shopify (Etsy, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Amazon FBA) stores who join as Marketplace Partners will initially have directory-style pages with links to checkout on their site. We will deploy checkout for all Marketplace vendors who opt-in in the coming months. We advise that you apply now to be first in line for checkout deployment.
How do I track my sales?
Access your Shopify Collective supplier dashboard for real-time sales data, commission calculations, and payout schedules.
Still have questions?
Email vendorsupport@commongoods.ca or visit the general Shopify Collective FAQ for technical setup questions.
Common Goods operates as shared infrastructure for Canadian commerce.
When you participate in Direct Checkout, you're helping build the alternative to pay-to-play marketplaces.
Support and Resources
What kind of support do you provide?
Dedicated onboarding specialist
- Technical support for product uploads and integration
- Regular webinars on domestic market strategies
- Community forum for merchant collaboration
How do I get help if I have questions?
Our merchant support team is available via:
Email: vendorsupport@commongoods.ca
Are there any educational resources available?
Yes, we will provide:
- Guides on optimizing for the Canadian market
- Webinars on adapting to the tariff changes
- Best practices for product listings and domestic shipping
- Case studies from successfully transitioned businesses
These resources will become available in December, 2025.
Future Development
What are your plans beyond the initial launch?
Our Phase 2 (Q4 2025) roadmap will:
- Expand domestic market penetration
- Introduce integrated checkout
- Develop additional merchant support services
- Scale to additional product categories
Can I provide feedback on the platform?
We actively seek merchant feedback through:
Regular surveys
Our merchant advisory board
Direct communication with our support team
Beta testing opportunities for new features
You can reach our founder directly at val@commongoods.ca
Policies
Merchant Terms and Conditions
Terms & Conditions - Common Goods Collective Inc
Last Updated: 04.26.2025
1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform ("Platform"), operated by Common Goods("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By registering as a merchant on our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.
2. Eligibility
To register as a merchant on our Platform, you must:
Be a legally registered business in Canada
Have a physical address in Canada
Have the legal right to sell all listed products
Be at least 18 years of age and able to form legally binding contracts
3. Registration and Account
3.1 Application Process
All merchant applications are subject to review and approval by our team
We reserve the right to reject applications at our sole discretion
You agree to provide accurate and complete information during registration
3.2 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these Terms
4. Listing Requirements
4.1 Product Eligibility
All products must comply with Canadian laws and regulations
Products must be accurately described and represented
We prohibit the listing of illegal, counterfeit, or restricted items
4.2 Content Standards
Product descriptions, images, and other content must be accurate and not misleading
You retain ownership of your content but grant us a license to use it for platform purposes
We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms
4.3 Pricing and Inventory
You are responsible for setting your own prices
You must maintain accurate inventory information
We do not guarantee product visibility or sales volume
5. Affiliate Program and Commissions
5.1 Fee Structure
During Phase 1, there are no fees charged to list your products on Common Goods. We do not process any transaction and act as a directory. Your product listings in our catalogue will link back to your own website where customers can place an order.
5.2 Tracking and Reporting
During Phase 2 (estimated June, 2025) we will introduce a unified checkout. Participating in the unified checkout is completely optional. Merchants will be given 30 days notice to decide to opt in or out of unified checkout. Sales will be tracked through standard checkout and order processing.
We will provide reporting on clicks, conversions, and commissions.
Disputes regarding commission must be raised within 30 days of the transaction
5.3 Commission Payment
For merchants who have opted in to Unified Checkout, commissions will be calculated weekly
Payments will be processed according to our standard terms (minimum 20% commission).
We reserve the right to withhold payments for fraudulent or disputed transactions
6. Platform Operations
6.1 Phase 1 Operations
Customers will complete purchases on your existing website
You are responsible for all aspects of the transaction including payment processing, fulfillment, customer service, and returns
The Platform serves as a discovery and referral service only during Phase 1
6.2 Future Development
We plan to introduce integrated checkout and additional services in Phase 2 (Q3 2025)
Additional terms will be provided before implementation of these features
You will have the option to opt in or out of these additional services and 30 days notice to do so.
7. Merchant Responsibilities
7.1 Customer Service
You are responsible for providing customer service for all transactions
You must respond to escalated customer inquiries within 4 hours during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm your local time).
You must honour your stated return and refund policies
7.2 Fulfillment and Shipping
You are responsible for accurate order fulfillment
You must ship products within your stated timeframes
You must provide tracking information when available
7.3 Compliance
You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations
You are responsible for collecting and remitting appropriate taxes
You must maintain all necessary licenses and permits for your business
8. Platform Rights and Responsibilities
8.1 Service Availability
We strive to maintain Platform availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access
We reserve the right to modify or discontinue features with reasonable notice
We are not liable for any loss resulting from Platform downtime or modifications
8.2 Merchant Support
We will provide reasonable technical support for Platform integration
We will offer resources to help optimize your listings
Support availability is subject to our current staffing and resources
8.3 Data and Analytics
We will provide analytics on your listing performance
We collect and use data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
We may use aggregated, anonymized data for Platform improvement
9. Term and Termination
9.1 Term
These Terms commence upon your registration approval
They continue until terminated by either party
9.2 Termination by Merchant
You may terminate your participation with 30 days written notice
Termination does not relieve you of obligations for transactions before termination
We will continue to pay commissions earned prior to termination
9.3 Termination by Platform
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account for violations of these Terms
We may remove listings that violate our policies
We may terminate accounts for prolonged inactivity
10. Intellectual Property
10.1 Platform IP
All Platform content and features are owned by or licensed to us
You receive a limited license to use the Platform for its intended purpose
You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works based on our Platform
10.2 Merchant IP
You retain ownership of your trademarks, product images, descriptions, and other content
You grant us a non-exclusive license to use your content for Platform purposes
You warrant that your content does not infringe on third-party rights
11. Liability Limitations
11.1 Disclaimer of Warranties
The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
We do not guarantee any specific results from Platform participation
We do not warrant that the Platform will meet all of your business requirements
11.2 Limitation of Liability
Our liability is limited to direct damages not exceeding the total commissions paid to us in the 3 months preceding the claim
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
These limitations apply to all claims regardless of legal theory
11.3 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising from your products, content, or violations of these Terms
This includes reasonable legal fees and expenses
We will provide notice of such claims and allow you to participate in the defense
12. Dispute Resolution
12.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your Canadian Province]
Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Your Canadian City/Province]
You consent to the jurisdiction of such courts
12.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Both parties agree to attempt good faith resolution of disputes
Disputes may first be submitted to non-binding mediation
Mediation costs will be shared equally by both parties
13. General Provisions
13.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us
They supersede any prior agreements or understandings
Additional terms may apply to specific features or services
13.2 Amendments
We reserve the right to modify these Terms with 30 days notice
Notice will be provided via email and/or Platform announcement
Your continued use after such notice constitutes acceptance
13.3 Severability
If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect
Unenforceable provisions will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable
13.4 No Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver
All waivers must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative
13.5 Assignment
You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our written consent
We may assign our rights to an affiliate or successor organization
14. Contact Information
For questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at:
Email: val@commongoods.ca
Address: 145 1/2 Church Street, Unit 5, Office 28, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
By registering for the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.